First Time Field Herping - Tips?

[Neon Aurora]

I'm taking a trip to rural New York and will have some good opportunities to get outside. I especially want to visit Letchworth State Park. I haven't really gone herping successfully before because where I live isn't the best for it.


Can any experienced herpers give me some tips on being successful? I've got a nice field guide to take with me.

[Bandit]

I've never herped anywhere near there, so I can't be of much help for that specific area. However, some general tips would be to study up on the species native to that area (preferred temps, habitat, etc.). Check out google maps for some good-looking areas, as well as any parks/trails that may be around. Keep an eye out for objects to flip...logs, boards, tin, etc. I see people post milks pretty regularly from up there by flipping them under cover.

[pet_snake_78]

I dont know that place. Best place to find snakes is under tin, plywood, or broken pieces of old billboards in sun and weeds in rural areas. Salamanders under rocks/logs in forested areas. Timbers usually easiest to find on rocky slopes but they are often hard to see or in crevices so you have to look very good to find them.

[Jim Smith]

As others have said, your best bet to find snakes is under boards, old tin etc. If you want to go herping, I would recommend that you find some old abandoned farms and ask if you can explore there. They usually have all the ingredients for good herping. Food for rodents and old boards, tin, etc laying around. Herping in a State Park area, may be okay, but I seriously doubt that you'll find as many snakes as you at abandoned farms or overgrown fields. Just my two cents worth...